CHINESE DEVELOPMENT BANK DELEGATION PAYS A VISIT AT PRESIDENT OFFICE, PLANNING COMMISSION

By Saidi Mkabakuli

The Chinese Development Bank (CDB) delegation has paid a visit to the President Office, Planning Commission with a purpose to discuss the development situations in various fields that aim to speed up Tanzania Development Vision 2025 that aims at making the country to be a medium economic country by 2025.

The delegation is led by Chinese Development Bank Director General, Mr. Jiang Zhigang.

Speaking at the meeting and discussion between the two parties that held at Planning Commission premises, Mr. Zhigang said that his delegation has paid a visit to Tanzania in order to communicate the preliminary advice and examine priority projects and potential interested enterprises, and exchange ideas about the follow-up cooperation between the two countries in turn of having a comprehensive understanding of the related fields in Tanzania.

“We are here to implement an on-site investigation and research the prioritised infrastructures that will benefit from this investment such as agriculture, mining, energy and transportation infrastructure,” he said.

According to Mr. Zhigang their the agreement aims at promoting the in-depth development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation that China and Tanzania have back to early years of Tanzania’s Independence.

 “Our two sides agreed that in line with the principle of equality and mutual benefit and respect, guided by the idea of planning first, CDB will combine its investment and financing advantages with Tanzania Government’s organising advantages. To meet the needs of Tanzanian economic development, CDB will conduct the planning consultancy in related areas,” Mr. Zhigang added.

In July 2012, China Development bank Corporation and President’s Office, Planning Commission agreed on the basis of ‘Planning Pilots’ that aimed at providing planning consultancy cooperation framework agreement to deepen the mutual cooperation between the two countries.

The delegation will pay a visit to sector ministries including ministry of agriculture, ministry of transport and ministry of energy and minerals for further discussions in the later days.

Meanwhile, it is learned that Tanzania has increased its investment potentials from 18% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2002 to around 34% in 2013 which is above the Sub Saharan African countries’ average of 22%.

This was revelead by the Deputy Executive Secretary (International Trade and Economic Relations), Mr. Paul Sangawe, when he was presenting his paper ‘State of Tanzania’s Economy’ to the Chinese Development Bank delegation.

“We have managed to increase the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from USD 308.2 million in 2003 to more than US$ 1,872.4 million in 2013, which reflecting mainly investment in tourism infrastructure/hotels and mining exploration,” he added.

Chinese Development Bank Director General, Jiang Zhigang (Centre) stresses a point when his delegation paid a visit at the President’s Office, Planning Commission. Left is a Researcher from State Information Center, Chen Qiang and right is Zhao Bingjie, a senior engineer from Railway Third Survey and Design Institute Group.

President’s Office, Planning Commission’s Lawyer, Advocate Nyanzala Nkinga (Centre) clarifies an issue to one of the discussion member, Miss Martha Luanda (Right). Left is another discussion member from the Planning Commission, Miss Gloria Ngowi.

Deputy Executive Secretary (International Trade and Economic Relations), Mr. Paul Sangawe (Right) exchanges a notes with Chinese Development Bank (Not in picture) on the State of Tanzania’s Economy, when the Delegation paid a courtesy call to the President’s Office, Planning Commission.

Deputy Executive Secretary (International Trade and Economic Relations), Mr. Paul Sangawe (Left) presents his paper ‘The State of Tanzania’s Economy’ to the Chinese Development Bank Delegation.

The Chairman of the Discussion between the President’s Office, Planning Commission and Chinese Development Bank Director General, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the President’s Office, Planning Commission, Mr. Maduka Paul Kessy (Second Right) talks during the discussion. Right is Deputy Executive Secretary (International Trade and Economic Relations), Mr. Paul Sangawe. Others are discussion members, Miss Martha Luanda (Left) from the Planning Commission and Mr. Medard Ngaiza (Second Left), from Chinese Desk, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.